The impact of safe and effective contraception on women's lives cannot be understated. It has given them control over their fertility and enabled them to plan their pregnancies while completing their education, building careers, and gaining financial independence. So, contraception is not just a birth control device that safeguards women's reproductive health; it is also a key tool for women's empowerment and achieving gender equality.

Among all the contraception methods created for women, Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) stand out as one of the most accessible, affordable, and effective solutions for millions of women. Among those OCPs, Saheli Plus stands out as a unique, non-hormonal contraceptive that ensures safe and effective contraception without any side effects associated with hormonal pills.

However, regardless of the type of OCPs used, their effectiveness depends largely on consistent and disciplined use. Living a hectic life and juggling your career with family life and personal goals can often disrupt your routine, and it is easy to forget to take a pill on time. Skipping a dose can impact the reliability of your pill and increase the risk of contraceptive failure.

This article explains why it is essential to understand the dosage schedule of OCPs. It highlights how Saheli Plus is different from hormonal pills in terms of dosage schedule and why you are less likely to miss a dose. It also explains what to do if you miss a dose of Saheli Plus.

Dosage Schedules: How Saheli Plus Differs from Other OCPs

All OCPs have their own dosage schedules. Most of the hormonal pills have a daily dosage. It implies that you must take a pill every day to achieve effective contraception with those OCPs. Not following that dosage schedule, or missing even a single pill in such regimens, can reduce their effectiveness, necessitating backup contraception.

Women who handle multiple responsibilities, balancing between work, personal goals, and family life, are more likely to face difficulties in finding the discipline required for the daily intake of OCPs.

Saheli Plus, on the other hand, is different. It is India's first non-hormonal contraceptive pill. It not only differs from hormonal pills in how it works but also in terms of dosage schedule.

Saheli Plus follows a unique weekly dosage schedule. You have to take Saheli Plus twice a week for the first three months. From the fourth month onwards, you must take it once a week.

The Importance of Discipline in OCP Usage

Using OCPs requires discipline and consistency in following the dosage schedule. Following the prescribed schedule is essential because skipping a dose results in reduced effectiveness, or even contraceptive failure.

This is because your body requires a certain level of the drug in it to achieve effective contraception and prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Failing to take the dose on time, skipping a dose, or having health issues that affect the absorption of the drug can result in the drug falling below that specific level in your body, leaving you vulnerable to the risk of unwanted pregnancies.

So, regardless of the type of OCPs used, be it a hormonal pill or a non-hormonal contraception method like Saheli Plus, achieving effective contraception requires discipline in following the dosage schedule. Consistency ensures that the necessary level of the drug is maintained in the body to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Why Saheli Plus is More Forgiving

The more pills per week you need to take as per your schedule, the more likely you are to miss a pill by accident due to forgetfulness or other reasons. Since hormonal pills follow a daily dosage schedule, they demand strict discipline.

Saheli Plus, on the other hand, offers more breathing space with its unique weekly, once-daily dosage schedule. Since its dosage is less frequent, there is a lower likelihood of missing a dose. As a result, Saheli Plus is more forgiving and is suitable for women with busy lifestyles.

What Happens If You Miss A Dose of Saheli Plus?

Despite its less demanding dosage schedule, missing a dose of Saheli Plus can still reduce its effectiveness and can lead to contraceptive failure. A contraceptive failure and a resulting unintended pregnancy can impact your physical and emotional well-being and cause financial challenges as it affects your reproductive goals, child spacing plans, and family planning efforts.

Therefore, it is essential to ensure the timely intake of Saheli Plus as per the dosage schedule. If you miss doses, you must take some countermeasures or backup contraception, especially if you are sexually active during that period.

What Should You Do If You Miss A Dose of Saheli Plus?

• Take the missed pill immediately, without waiting, as soon as you remember.
• Once you take the pill, resume your regular schedule and take the next pill as per the schedule, on your usual day, even if it means taking two pills in the same week.
• If you remember only after two days of missing the dose, continue taking Saheli Plus, but use backup contraception, such as condoms, till your next period. It will give you added protection.
• If you remember only after more than one week of missing the pill, it is necessary to start the dosage from the beginning: take a tablet on the first day of your next period, twice a week for three months and then once a week. You have to use condoms till your next period.
• Consult with your doctor if you are unsure about the effectiveness of Saheli Plus after missing a dose.

By following these steps, you can minimise the risk of contraceptive failure and continue to enjoy the effectiveness of Saheli Plus.

Final Thoughts

Oral contraceptive pills have revolutionised family planning. They have changed the way women approach family planning and reproductive health. The highly accessible and affordable Saheli Plus goes further. It eliminates side effects associated with hormonal pills and ensures safety and effectiveness, being the world's first non-hormonal contraceptive.

However, missing a dose remains a concern while using OCPs, and a modern lifestyle makes it hard to stick to a dosage schedule. While Saheli Plus, with its unique weekly dosage schedule, reduces the likelihood of missing a dose by accident, it could still happen. Missing a dose of Saheli Plus could lead to reduced effectiveness and even contraceptive failure. It is crucial to take countermeasures to ensure effective contraception.

By staying informed and consistent, you can use Saheli Plus properly and take control of your fertility with confidence and peace of mind. But if you skip a dose, you can still ensure effective contraception by taking suitable countermeasures.

FAQs

1. Is Saheli Plus a hormonal pill?
No. Saheli Plus is the world's first non-hormonal contraceptive pill, making it a safer option for women who wish to avoid hormonal side effects.

2. How effective is Saheli Plus compared to hormonal pills?
The effectiveness of Saheli Plus is comparable to that of hormonal pills when taken according to the prescribed dosage schedule.

3. What happens if I miss a dose of Saheli Plus?
Missing a dose reduces its effectiveness and increases the risk of contraceptive failure. If you miss a dose, take the missed pill as soon as possible and resume your regular schedule.

4. Should I use backup contraception if I miss a dose?
Yes, if you forget to take a dose and remember only after two days, you should use a backup contraception method till your next period. If you remember only after more than one week of missing the pill, it is necessary to start the dosage from the beginning: take a tablet on the first day of your next period, twice a week for three months and then once a week. In this case too, it is advisable to use backup contraception till your next period. Condoms are recommended as a backup contraception method.

5. Can I stop Saheli Plus anytime?
Yes, you can stop using Saheli Plus at any time. Since it is non-hormonal, Saheli Plus allows easy discontinuation without long-term effects on fertility.